Medical Assistant Pay

North Bergen vs Trenton: Medical Assistant Salary (2026)

Compare medical assistant salaries between North Bergen, NJ and Trenton, NJ. All figures are 2026 estimates projected from BLS 2025 data.

North Bergen, NJ
$53,581
$25.76/hr
Trenton, NJ
$48,234
$23.19/hr

Side-by-Side Comparison

MetricNorth Bergen, NJTrenton, NJ
Median Salary$53,581$48,234
Hourly Rate$25.76$23.19
Entry Level (P10)$42,862$38,230
25th Percentile$43,979$41,673
75th Percentile$57,537$51,960
Top Earner (P90)$68,658$57,104
Total Employed13890
Side-by-side bar chart comparing North Bergen ($53,581) and Trenton ($48,234) medical assistant salaries.North BergenTrentonMedian Salary$53,581$48,234Entry Level (P10)$42,862$38,230Top Earner (P90)$68,658$57,104US Median $47,961

Verdict

North Bergen, NJ offers better overall compensation for medical assistants, winning 3 out of 4 metrics compared to Trenton.

The salary gap between North Bergen and Trenton is $5,347 (11.09%). North Bergen's median is +11.72% compared to the US national median of $47,961.

Salary Range Comparison

The full salary range (10th to 90th percentile) in North Bergen spans $25,796,Trenton spans $18,874. North Bergen has a wider pay range, meaning more potential for high earners but also more variation.

North Bergen
P10 (Entry)$42,862
P25$43,979
Median$53,581
P75$57,537
P90 (Top)$68,658
Trenton
P10 (Entry)$38,230
P25$41,673
Median$48,234
P75$51,960
P90 (Top)$57,104

Cost-of-Living Adjusted Comparison

After cost-of-living adjustment, Trenton ($46,747 effective) pays 0.51% more than North Bergen ($46,511 effective).

North Bergen
Nominal: $53,581
CoL Index: 115.2
Adjusted: $46,511
Trenton
Nominal: $48,234
CoL Index: 103.18
Adjusted: $46,747

Cost-of-living adjustment: salary × (100 / CoL index). Index of 100 = national average.

Which City Is Right for You?

Choose North Bergen if…

  • Higher median salary ($53,581/year)
  • Better top-earner potential ($68,658)
  • You prefer the New Jersey area and lifestyle

Choose Trenton if…

  • Larger job market (890 employed)
  • Better purchasing power (CoL-adjusted: $46,747)
  • You prefer the New Jersey area and lifestyle

Historical Salary Growth Comparison

Based on BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, medical assistant salaries in North Bergen grew 3.8% from 2024 to 2025, compared to 22.6% growth in Trenton over the same period.

North Bergen, NJ

+3.8%

$49,155 (2024) → $51,044 (2025)

Trenton, NJ

+22.6%

$37,490 (2019) → $45,950 (2025)

View Full Salary Data

Frequently Asked Questions

Which city pays medical assistants more: North Bergen or Trenton?

North Bergen has a higher median medical assistant salary at $53,581/year, compared to Trenton at $48,234/year — a difference of $5,347 (11.09%).

What is the hourly rate difference between North Bergen and Trenton?

North Bergen medical assistants earn $25.76/hr while Trenton hygienists earn $23.19/hr (2026 est.).

Should I relocate from North Bergen to Trenton as a medical assistant?

Consider more than just salary when comparing North Bergen and Trenton. Factor in cost of living (CoL-adjusted: North Bergen = $46,511, Trenton = $46,747), job availability (13 vs 890 employed), commute, and career growth potential.

What do entry-level medical assistants earn in North Bergen vs Trenton?

Entry-level (10th percentile) medical assistants earn $42,862 in North Bergen and $38,230 in Trenton. The North Bergen area offers higher starting salaries.
EC

Written by Emma Chen, CMA

Career Analyst

Emma has over 8 years of experience as a medical assistant. She has worked in both outpatient clinics and hospitals. Her expertise includes patient care and administrative support.

Clinically reviewed by Carlos Rodriguez, RMAData verified by Sofia Patel, CCMA

Methodology & Data Source

All salary figures are 2026 projections based on BLS OEWS May 2025 data. A 4.97% CAGR (derived from 6-year national BLS trends) was applied to estimate current compensation. Cost-of-living adjustments use BEA Regional Price Parity data. Actual salaries vary by employer, certifications, and experience.

Data Sources & Methodology

Source: BLS, OEWS , released .

Compiled and verified by Emma Chen, CMA, a licensed medical assistant with 10+ years of clinical experience. · View source data at BLS.gov